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whats a good quality radiator

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:13 pm
by SIERRA BANDIT
i need a new one whats a good brand
only want standard size
will spend up to $350
also would a 12" thermo fan fit a standard sierra radiator
thanks

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:25 pm
by bazooked
the thermo just fits in nicely, and for 350 bux u can get an extra core.

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:30 am
by nickw86au
I got a brand new radiator from repco a couple of months ago (rrp $318 I think...). It seems quite good, bolts straight up although the drain plug doesn't have that bit of hose extension on it... it works fine without it tho. It does seem to be running a bit warmer according to the guage (only slightly) but this might be cause of the different thermostat - I remember reading somewhere that they have quite high variation in the temps that they open and close at. It could also be that the the bit of pipe that joins the two bottom radiator hoses should have been replaced (in hindsight I would have ordered another one from suzuki) as i had to shorten it because the tip of it had rusted all the way through.

Consider doing your pump and also the bit of pie mentioned in this thread http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... highlight= If you want to do everything - agina, I probably should have ended up doing mine.

Here's the thread that explains any dramas that I had whilst doing it

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=86079

Nick

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:40 am
by Damo
Zook engines run pretty cool, so there generally isn't a need for huge rads etc unless you've got something else going on under the bonnet. Even 1600s cope fine with the stock rad.

My suggestion would be to stick with the stock one. Take it to a radiator place and have them remove the tanks and clean the cores properly. They usually do a pressure test at the same time, it should cost you under $100. Don't worry about the thermo fan, just get a clutch fan off a Vitara.

If you are still having overheating problems after that it could be something else in the cooling system (thermostat etc) but most common things are headgasket or cracked head.

EDIT: Crap, I think i misread your post, you prolly just have a fawked rad you need to replace :D anyway, if you want to do it on the cheap just get a decent 2nd handy rad and get it reco'd.